Data-displaying device



Aug. 4, 1925. 1,548,019 7 s. BABSON ET AL DATA DISPLAYING DEVICE FiledApril 2, 1925 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

. UNITED, STATES PATENT oss cs.

STANLEY JVLBABSON, OF WEST ORANGE, AND HERMAN HOLLERITH, JIL, OF RIVER-TON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE BATES. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OFORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF JERSEY.

DATA'QDISPLAYING DEVICE.

Application filed April 2, 1925. Serial 1T0. 20,041. 7

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, STANLEY M. BAB- soN, ,a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the town of West Orange, in the county of Essex andState of New Jersey, and HER- MAN-HOLLERITH', J r., a citizen of theUnited States, residing in Rivert-on, in the county of Burlington andState of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinData-Displaying Devices, of which the following is a description.

Our invention relates to devices for displaying and rendering. readilyavailable re-' corded or inscribed data, and'while' not limitd theretois particularly directed to mechanical directories of the type employedfor indexing and displa'yingthe names of-a large number of telephonesubscribers and their telephone numbers.

A device ofthe type referred to comprises a data carrying member,preferably in the fornrof a flexible strip upon which the desired datamay be inscribed or recorded and which is preferably ofconsiderable'len'gth so as to be adapted to receive a largenum'ber ofitems, means preferably including accelerating mechanism for actuatingsaid member so that the inscribed surface thereof may be moved veryrapidly in either direction to enable any desired portion of saidsurfaceto be readily and quickly broughtto a given exhibition or readingposition, and means whereby the presentation of the desired portion ofthe inscribed surface of the datareceiving member at said position orpoint is facilitated.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide inradevice of thischaracter an arrangement for facilitating the presentation of anydesired portion of the data carrying member in reading or. exhibitingposition,

including improved indicating means which is adapted to give to theoperator or observer of the device, atany and all times, an effectiveindication of the particular section/of the data carrying member inexhibiting position, regardless of the speed at which such member may bemoved, and which is free from the inaccuracies of the 4 indicatingdevices heretofore employed for this purpose.

' Another object of our invention is to provide a device such asdescribed which is very simple in constructlon and' inexpensive tomanufacture and which at'the' same time is extremely, eflicient andaccurate in operation. Other ob ects and features of our inventlon W111be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In order that our'invention may be more clearly understood, attention isdirected to. the drawing accompanying and forming a part of thisspecification and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of one form of datadisplaying device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of the deviceshown in Fig.

1; and

Figure 3 is aplan view, partly broken away, of the data carrying stripof the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when unrolled. The invention asillustrated in the drawing is embodied in the form of a telephonedirectory and comprises a casing 1- which is generally rectangular inform and. the top 2 of which has an intermediate inclined por-' tion 3provided with a rectangular sight opening 11. The data carrying memberis preferably in the form of a long, flexible strip 6, and thespcctively suitably secured to a pair of spools or rollers 4 and'5 whichmounted within the casing 1 adjacent the top and ends of strip is woundf om either of the rollers onto the other th portion thereof extendingbetween the rollers will be beneath and closely adjacent the inclinedportion 3 of the top of the casing. Reference characters 7 and 8represent lugs formed on one side of the casing 1, and 9 and 10represent studs or pins respiactively secured to the rollers 4 and 5axially thereof and f'ournaled in the lugs? and 8 respectively. ,t willbe apparent that a portion or section of the str p 6 sight opening 11.The strip 6 is preferably composed of linen or other suitable textilematerial and has a suitably prepared surface upon .which the desireddata may be inscribed. A backing plate 12 is mounted within the casing 1beneath the strip 6 and are rotatablythe latter so that as the ends ofthe .strip are re- I 4 directly opposite the sight opening 11; and

is preferably removably supported in this position by means not shown.

The surface of the strip 6 exposed at the opening 11 in the moyernent ofthe strip past the latter, is divided by substantially equi-spacedtransverse lines into a longitudinally -disposed series of spaces 13,each adapted to receive certain data such asa persons name and histelephone number. Adjacent one edge the strip is provided with alongitudinal line whereby the surface of the strip provided with thespaces 13, is formed with a longitudinally extending marginal, portionin which are disposed oppositetheseveral spaces 13 a series of large andprominent index characters 14 of a nature to identify the data inscribedor' to be inscribed in the said spaces. Thus in the construction shownthe characters 14 comprise letters of the alphabet corresponding to theinitials of the names inscribed or to be inscribed 'in .the adjacentspaces 13, the same letter appearing in most instances a plurality oftimes opposite successive spaces 13 and the several letters or groups ofletters being alphabetically arranged longitudinally of the strip. Thedata receiving. surface of the strip 6 also has applied theretoindicating means, preferably in the form of a very prominent line Aextending longitudinally of the strip and across the spaces 13,preferably from a po'intadjacent one edge or side of the strip to apoint adjacent the opposite edge or side thereof, as clearly shown inFig. 3; A stationary index 15, in the present case an alphabeticalindex, extends transversely of the strip 6 and is applied to a bevelledsurface formed on the casing 1 adjacent the up er edge of the .opening11, and the line on strip 6 cooperates with thisindex 15 so as to giveto the operator or other observer of the directory a correct andaccurate indication at any time, of the particular surface portion orsection of the data receiving surface of/te strip 6 then presented atthe ppening 1 The number of spaces 13 of the strip designated by oneormore of. the letters of the alphabet may sometimes be different than thenumber of spaces designated by another letter or other letters. Wherethis is the.

case, as in the device illustrated, the letters of the alphabetconstituting the index 15 are preferably spaced in conformity with thenumber or combined length of the spaces designated by the respectiveletters 14 of the alphabet in' the longitudinally extending straight andat marginal,

ortion of the strip 6 so that the indlcating ine A may' be madeperfectly ate with the index-151w give at all times the desiredindication. The letters .of index 15 may, of course, be spaced uniformlyand the lndicating line A could, if necessary, be

the same time will cooperstepped or otherwise formed so as to obtain thedesired result, but the arrangement shown is referred because of itssimplicit andalso cause of the greater ease wit which an observer mayfollow the apparent transverse movement. of the uninterrupted straightindicating line A with reference to the index 15 as the strip 6 is movedpast the opening 11.. r

It is obvious that actuation of the rollers 4 and 5 in one direction orthe other will cause a corresponding feed or travel of the strip 6beneath the inclined portion 3 of the top of the casing and past thesight opening 11 therein. Very simple and effective means is providedwherebya single masiderable length, for example, 6 to 8 feet,

past the opening 11 in either direction. This means consists of'-a pairof spur gears 16 and 17 respectively secured to the spools or rollers 4and 5 at one end, a large gear 18 meshing with both of the gears 16 and17 a small gear 19 secured to the gear 18 axially thereof and a gear 22meshing with the small gear 19 and secured to a stud or short shaftextending throu h the side of casing 1 and provided with a nurled head24 at its outer end. The gears 18 and 19 are journaled in a lug orbearing 20 formed on the adjacent side of the casing 1 as by means of astud- 21, and the stud or shaft to which the gear 22 and knurled head 24are secured is .journaled in a bearing 23 formed on the same side ofthecasing. The gears 22, 19, 18, 17 and 16 constitute speed acceleratingmechanism and act when the knurled head or a knob 24 is turned, toeffect a very rapid rotation of the spools 4 and.5 and consequently arapid travel oft-he strip 6 past the openindicating lineA visiblethrough the sight opening 11 will appear to travel at a compa'rativelyslow rate transversely of the opening and the index 15, enablingtheoperator tovery readily observe and-follow.

I the registryof this line with the index 15 at'all times. The gears ofthe accelerating mechanism are formed so as to fit nicelywithout anybinding action, and the inertia of the gears and of the rollers 4. and 5and the length. of strip 6 are'such, that when the knob 24 is given aquick turn with the fingers and then released, the momentum of the gearsand rollers is sufiicient to cause the of said name on inca able of anymovement with res ect as explained above,

' the desired portion of the stopped at the proper on,- may entire strito be unwound from .one roller and woun "onto the -other roller and thusefiectmovement of substantially the entire length pf the strip past theopenin 11.;.'

The operation of t e mech'amcal te ephone directory describedherein isbelieved to be apparent from the foregoing, but may be briefly describedas followsr'lhe names and telephone numbers of such persons as theoperator of the directory has occasion to call from appropriate spaces13 on the strip 6 oppo site the proper indx characters or initialletters 14. When it is desired to bring a given name to exhibitingposition atfthe openin 11 the knob 24 is given a quick turn with t efingers in one direction or theother, depending upon therelativeposition the strip with respect to the section of the strip at that timepresented at theopening 1'1, and then released." This an apparentrelatively slow movement of the indicating 1in!*A transversely with re-'spect to the stationary alphabetical index following the apparent 15.The operator by of the line A with retransverse movement spect to theindex 15, line registers with the letter of such index corresponding tothe first letter of the de sired name and may thus determine when stripis approach- Thereupon the ing th'e sight opening 11.

bechecked by travel of the strip 6 may grasping --,the knob clearobservation of the passing index characters l4,.which during the rapidmovement of the strip are rendered illegible, and the strip may then bereadily brought to and position. It is this apparent thatanyportion ofthe strip, and consequently any name or other -'data' therebe brought toexhibiting or reading position( at the'sight' opening 11, with a minimumexpenditure of time and e Moreover, by reason ofthe arrangement 0the-indicating me-ans disclosed herein,our device is'rendered veryaccurate. In this connection it is to be noted that the indicat-' ing.mea'ns, consisting in th form of the" invention shown, of the line A, isdirectly controlledby and, in fact; is directly actuated by, the datacarrying member this line, being'applied to the strip 6, bears aconstant fixed relation to the spaces 13 and the index characters 14,Land thatitjalso 1i):

the index 15 independently of the strip 6.?

While the particular construction described 'andshownherein comprisesapre-- ferred embodiment, it is-t0' be understood that our inventionmaybe embodied invarious other .forms and .is subject to many W chargesand modifications without deparindex,

time to time are inscribed in the:

data receiving applied causes the strip totravel 7 very rapidly, and atthe same time results in" will note when this substantially the 24 inorder to permit 6, that ture from the spirit and scope thereof asdefined in the appended claims. Having now described'ourinvention, weclaim as new and desire. to protect LettersPatent', is as follows: 4

A device of thecharacter described comprising an index and -a memberhavin a data receivingsurface movable ast said said member -being'provied with meansco-operating.with said index to indicate atany time theparticular section of the'data receiving surface of said member thenadjacent thein'de-x. I 2. A device of the character described comprisingan index and a member having a surface movable past said index, saidsurface having an indicating line thereto and cooperating with said whatindexto indicate at any time the particular section of the datareceiving surface of sai member then adjacent the index.

1 3. A device of the character described comprising anindex and a memberhaving adata receiving surface movable past said index, said surfacehaving a straight indicating line applied thereto andcooperating withsaid index to indicateat any time the particular ction of the datareceiving surface of sai member then adjacent the index, said line beinginclined to the directionof movement-of said surface and extending wholelength of said data receiving surface. from'a point adiacent'one edge ofsuch surface to a point adjacent the opposite edge thereof.

4. A device of comprising a data carrying-member, means for movingsaid'memberand means includmember for clearly indicating to an observerthe character described an indicator applied directly to said at anytime the position of said member 7 'with respect to a given pointregardless of the speed at which the member is moved.

5. A' device of the character described comprising a data carryingmember, means for moving said member and means including an indicatordirectly movable by said member for clearly indicating to an observer atany time he position of said member with respect tE; a given pointregardless-of I ich the member is movedi 6. A device ;of the characterdescribed comprisingadata carrying strip, means for movingsaidl strippast a gi venfreading point, and means including. an indicatorapplied'to said strip for clearly indicating at any time thelongitudinal section of sard strip'then adjacent said reading point regardlessqof-the speed mbveda a F '7. 'A device of theycliaracterdescribedcomprising a casin [provided with a sight] opening, an index aac ent said opening, a data carrying member within said casing;-

at which the latter is 1 meanssf'or actuating said member to move 1 thedata carrying surface thereof past said sight opening and means appliedto said member and cooperating with said index to indicate the positionof said member with respect to said opening.

8. A device of ,the character described comprising a casing providedwith a sight opening, an index adjacent said opening, a data carryingmember within said'casing, and means for actuating said member to movethe data carrying surface thereof past said sight opening, said memberhaving an indicating line applied to its said surface and cooperatingwith said index to indicate the position of said member with respect tosaid opening.

9. A device of the character described comprising a data carryingmember, means for moving said member rapidly past an exhibiting point,saiddata carrying member being provided with prominent indexcharactersQvisible at said point as said member is moved past thelatter, and means including an indicator applied to said member forindicating the position of said member with respect to said point evenwhen such membeiis moved at a speed rendering said in dex charactersillegible.

10. A device of the character described comprising a casing having asight opening, a data carrying member within said casing, actuatingmeans including accelerating mechanism for moving said member rapidlypast said sight opening, said data carrying i characters illegible.

member being provided with prominent index characters visible throughsaid opening as said member is moved past the latter, and meansincluding an indicator movable directly by said member for indicatingthe position of the latter with respect to said sight opening even whensuch member is moved at a speed rendering said index 11.'A device of thecharacter described comprising a casing having a sight opening, a datacarrying member having on Its sursaid opening extending transversely ofthe face a longitudinal series of groups ofspaces for the inscription fdata, said groups of spaces varying 1n ength, means for moving saidmember to cause its said surface to travel in the direction of itslength past said sight opening, an index adjacent said sight openingextending transversely of the data carrying member and the indexcharacters of which are adapted to identify the data inscribed inthe-said groups of spaces respectively, said characters being spacedapart in conformity with the variation in the lengths of said groupsrespectively, the data receiving surface of said member having thereon astraight indicating line extending longitudinally thereof andcooperating with said index to indicate at any time. the particularspace of said member then adjacent said sight opening.

12. A device of the character described comprising a casing having asight opening, a data carrying strip mounted'within said casing andprovided with a longitudinally extending series of groups of spacesvarying in length and adapted to be inscribed with suitable data, meansfor moving said strip past said sight opening, an index adjacent stripand the index characters of which are adapted to identify the datainscribed in the said groups of spaces respectively, said charactersbeing spaced apart in conformity with the variation in the lengths ofsaid groups respectively, said strip having a straight indicating line.applied thereto and extending longitudinally thereof, said linecooperating with said index so as to indi-' cate at any time theparticular data receiv ing space of said member then adjacent the sightopening.

This specification signed this 18th day of March, 1925. I

STANLEY M. BABSON. HERMAN HOLLERITH, J R

